The characteristics of heat pipe transients are of significant importance in evaluating the applicability of heat pipes incorporated into thermal systems, with one of the most severe transients imposed on heat pipe designs being that of frozen startup. Presented here is a compilation of the current investigations conducted on frozen heat pipe startup, along with a description of the fundamental principals and attributes involved. The experimental works on frozen startup using liquid metal and room temperature working fluids, along with die analytical/numerical models, are summarized